Archive for January 4, 2012

Baby Care Pointers: How To Have Your Newborn Baby Sleep All Night

The most trying time for new parents is night time. Often your child will stay up all night or only sleep in little bits at a time. Baby care can be difficult for new parents and there are some skills parents must use to keep their sanity. The most important skill in taking care of a baby is being able to put him/her to sleep through the night so you can get some sleep. Stressed out over tired parents tend to not provide the best baby care.

I have three children and was able to have each of them to begin sleeping through the night at two weeks old. I was new to babies, I am the youngest therefore never had to take care of any babies. Friends and family would always provide baby care pointers and some of them had merit while many of them were just nonsense.

One pointer I received to have my children sleep through the night was to put a little bit of whiskey in their bottle. This, of course, is absolutely absurd and I would never follow this baby care technique…. Neither should you. This is how I got all three of my children to sleep through the night beginning at two weeks old.

1. Have a Consistent Bed Time Schedule

Babies, like children crave schedules. It’s important to them and makes them comfortable. All parents that I know who have babies that do not sleep well do not have a set bed time. An important baby care pointer is to always put your bed to bed at the same time every single night. If you are out and about, put your baby in a quiet area and put them to sleep.

2. Have a Consistent Bed Time Routine

Again, babies require routine. If you give your baby a bath every night, make sure you do it around the same time every night. If you give your baby a bath every other day… be sure to do it every other day. Always read your baby a story before bedtime. This is a great baby care pointer because not only does it introduce reading to your baby, it also begins having you set the habit. It also, of course provides a baby care routine.

3. Adhere to a Feeding Schedule

Most infants need to be fed every 2 – 3 hours. Now, I understand 2 or three hours is not a good night sleep for you or your partner and you’d be right. But feeding your baby on a consistent basis throughout the days show your baby that food is always available and they will begin to know when to expect it. Always make sure you feed your baby 20 minutes before bed time.

4. Playtime Before Feeding

Baby care is much more than just caring for your baby. It is also stimulating and teaching your baby. Playing with your baby about 30 minutes before that last bottle will help wear your baby out and teach them coordination.

5. Putting Your Infant To Bed

Here is the most difficult baby care pointer to stick with. Putting your infant to bed, especially if you rare a first time parent, can be difficult. They will cry. It is okay for a him/her to cry and many doctors believe it is good for their cardiovascular system. Do not go and grab your baby. You are showing you care, by trying to establish a schedule. If baby cries for more than 20 minutes, time it, go and check your baby’s diaper. Swaddle him/her nice and snug and leave them room. A nice tight swaddle will make your baby feel secure.

If you follow these baby care pointers on putting your baby to sleep you and your baby should begin sleeping through the night in no time.

Category: Baby Care / Tags: , , , ,

Baby Care Tips For You And For Baby

What baby care tips are essential for you and your newborn??

The mother of a baby is the busiest person on earth, and these baby care tips are designed to put a little order and routine back into your day to day routine. In no time at all, these baby care tips will become second nature for you and your baby helping you to get back to a somewhat ‘normal’ life.

Breastfeeding Baby Care

There is, has and always will be a lot of controversy on breastfeeding depending on where you live in the world. In some countries it’s the norm and most people would not bat an eyelid if they saw a mother sit down in a restaurant and start to breastfeed her baby. In other countries such as the UK and the US, surprisingly and quite sadly, breastfeeding is frowned upon by many. I personally breastfed both my children and though I made a point of being discreet, I valued my right to feed my child where, when and how I chose to.

However, I also appreciated the fact that I was lucky to be able to breastfeed as I know many mothers want to but can’t for whatever reason. Even those that choose not to breast feed should not be maligned. The majority of us live in a society where we have a freedom of choice and whatever our feelings or opinions on a matter, we should allow everyone the right to choose what is best for them and their baby.

That said it is common knowledge that there are huge health benefits to breastfeeding for both mom and baby so that’s why this is key to baby care. Baby’s first drink of breast milk is colostrum which is full of antibodies which help babies immune system and is full of fat and protein to help baby put on weight in their first few days. Breastfeeding also helps mom’s uterus to contract more quickly. A weird sensation when it happens but utterly amazing when you think about it.

Then consider the other positives of breastfeeding to baby care. Milk is on tap, ready to go at the right temperature whatever the time of day and if baby emptied one ‘bottle’ or boob, there was another ready and waiting to go. I did co-sleeping with my second baby as I was concerned about waking the house up in the middle of the night for feeds which worked out well for all as most times throughout the night, she would latch on herself and feed without me being barely aware. Baby care doesn’t really get any easier than that.

I did express so that my husband could also be involved and there were times that he did the night feeds with both children so that I could get a complete nights rest.

Bottle Feeding Baby Care

If you are bottle-feeding your baby then make sure that the bottles are well sterilized and clean. There are many makes of bottle sterilizers that are available. There are some that you can put in the microwave and some that will continually sterilize throughout the day so that you always have clean bottles and teats available to go when you need them.

Also consider your formula well. Check the ingredients and look for those that have the friendly bacteria for the gut. Make sure that you buy the formula appropriate for your baby’s age. To rich and it may cause constipation, too thin and lacking in vitamins etc, and your baby may not gain weight as they should.

Baby Sleeping Baby Care

With your first child, you will have probably read numerous books about how to put your baby to bed and have bought a moses basket, then a cot or cot bed. Come your subsequent children, you then realise though nice to have, the most important thing is whether your baby is comfortable, safe and warm or cool enough. My first child went into his own cot bed when he was 3 weeks old as we couldn’t stand anymore of his warthog snoring. He was also in a baby sleeping bag. Our daughter slept with me in our bed until she slept through most of the night before moving to her own bed. Especially as I was breast feeding both, I made sure that I didn’t drink a lot (the odd glass of wine at a weekend is fine), I don’t do drugs, they weren’t too hot or cold and the room was well ventilated. Use your common sense here regarding baby care and use and do what’s best for you.

Clothing Baby Care

Summer clothes should be light cotton ones. When baby is taken out, make sure that his head does not get the direct sun. Make the most of parasols or stroller sun covers. The covers in particular also help against wasps. An important baby care tip to remember for all – sun cream is essential even if your baby is dark skinned. My children are mixed race and even with factor 50, they still tan.

In winter, there may be sweaters, trousers and other woollens. Just bear in mind that if they are in nappies or diapers still, you need quick and easy access to change them especially when you are out and about. Some changing facilities are tiny or cramped and you don’t really want to spend more time there than you should. Remember a change of clothes too. My son was the worst but they both had explosive poos the force of which sent their poo right up their backs and it was far easier to take the whole lot off than to try and clean around it!

Changing Baby Care

Changing of nappies or diapers whether disposable or not should take place regularly. Sometimes babies will let you know in their own particular way but it’s best to get into the habit of checking their bottoms at least every 3 hours. That way you’ll soon get to know baby’s toilet habits and can adjust it accordingly.

Bathing Baby Care

I hope that I don’t sound too patronising but the best advice here is common sense. Make sure that you have everything that you need BEFORE you start bathing. Have baby’s towel ready on his changing mat, his nappy and night clothes all in place before you start.

Please ensure that the bath water is not too hot and not too cold – 9of or 32c is ideal. It should only be a couple of inches deep if it is in a family bath. At this age baby doesn’t need bubble bath, just gentle no-tears formula soap should suffice.

Ensure that you support baby’s head safely. Once washed and dried, massage a little moisturizing cream into baby’s skin and get him dressed for bed.

Immunisation Baby Care

The baby should be immunized against Small Pox & Measles with BCG within 3 months of its age. The first DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Psertussis, Polio, HIB, Meningitis C) is due within the first 2 months followed by the 2nd and the 3rd one at one month intervals. The MMR vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella should be done within 1 years of age. The boosters should be taken after the baby is 4 years old.

Training and Education Baby Care

Babies learn by watching and listening. Yes I babble baby talk to my two but I also talked sensibly to them like an adult. When getting them dressed I would put their left arm in its sleeve and say to them, ‘let’s put your left arm in your sleeve’. By 18 months both children knew their right from their left, could say things like open door, shut door, roof, bus, sky drink, biscuit etc because I constantly read or pointed things like this out to them. Learning can and at this age, should be fun.

The most important baby care tip of all

The parents should find enough time to spend quality with the baby but also together and by themselves. Find time for baby time, couple time and me time!

Category: Baby Care / Tags: , , , , ,
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